I think it’s okay. But how about looking at it through a different prism: be respectful to her, but know that she’s just not your people.
I have a friend who is in a really tough place right now mentally. What should I do to help her out?
Thanks for being such a caring friend. University Counseling Services (bit.ly/BCCounselingSvcs) can help you: “Students and others who desire psychological advice regarding concerns about others may make an appointment.”
Why venture into a romantic relationship if risks include losing the existing friendship?
Ah. But what if your friend could become your world? Making the decision to risk a friendship for something more is tough. But this is a classic example of “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. There’s no guarantee that you would lose the friendship if the relationship goes poorly. And there’s no guarantee the friendship would survive whether there’s a relationship or not. We don’t know what the future holds, but it would be a shame to look back and wonder what could have been.